Most of our National Parks get excellent exposure through the various trip reports. A visit to Stormsriver Mouth does not really qualify for a trip report, so maybe we should start a tread where forumites can post their photos and comments of visits to Stormsriver Mouth.

HoepHoep wrote:so maybe we should start a tread where forumites can post their photos and comments of visits to Stormsriver Mouth.

Great idea HoepHoep. Storms River is awesome and I hope to go back there soon!!

We have visited Tsitsikamma a few times. My first visit was with my parents when I was about 8 years old. During that December holiday my parents gave us (my twin brother and me) a set of snorkeling kit each...we spend days in the snorkeling pool,on the southern side of the park, and that is where my love of diving has started!!

KNP is sacred.I am opposed to the modernisation of Kruger and from the depths of my soul long for the Kruger of yesteryear! 1000+km on foot in KNP incl 56 wild trails.200+ nights in the wildernessndloti-indigenous name for serval.

What great pics. Congrats to you all. Brought back memories of wonderful not-too-distant-Christmases... (with Father Christmas arriving on a boat... and the children and visitors joining the communal Christmas 'eve and Christmas 'morn church...) The bridge, the flora, the caves, the boat ride upriver to the bat caves, the millions of bats, etc. etc.

Hopefully this December we shall visit again...

Micetta, this is a must!

Seems as if it is a little bit stormy there now...

Otter trail hikers being evacuated

CAPE TOWN - Hikers were being evacuated from the Otter Trail on Wednesday as bitterly cold and stormy weather swept the Southern Cape coast, the Garden Route National Park said.

The picturesque 43km, five-day trail had been closed until further notice, park spokesman Zanemvula Gozongo said.

He said rangers went in on foot on Wednesday morning to evacuate the 29 hikers currently on the trail, after park authorities decided that the massive waves pounding the coast posed a threat to their safety.

Much of the trail runs along the rugged Tsitsikamma coastline, and hikers also have to make river crossings.

Gozongo said the park’s rest camp at Nature’s Valley had also been closed due to a surging sea and high winds.

It was earlier reported that lapping waves had reached as high as the top of the wheels of hikers’ cars parked at Nature’s Valley.

The weather service has warned of snow, rain, gale force winds and waves of up to nine metres in the area, as a series of cold fronts sweep through.

The park website says hikers must be prepared to hike over rough terrain, steep ascents and descents “and under any weather conditions”.

Elzet wrote:Yes, indeed, Movinon! Crossing the suspension bridge allows one to explore the other side of the river bank...

On the other side of the river a "slackpack type" of trail takes place . Similar to the Otter , but with catered for luxury accomodation .

KNP is sacred.I am opposed to the modernisation of Kruger and from the depths of my soul long for the Kruger of yesteryear! 1000+km on foot in KNP incl 56 wild trails.200+ nights in the wildernessndloti-indigenous name for serval.

Micetta, to the right of HH's second photo (of the small beach), you will see people in white clothing accessing the walkway to the suspension bridge. It is one of the most magic walkways! And just on the other side of the N2, the giant Yellowwood tree..

The Tsitsikamma National Park which includes the Storms River mouth is internationally recognised for its forests which harbour and conserve the giant Outeniqua Yellowwood tree – one of the few true monarchs of the world's forests. This enormous tree is one of the most successful species in existence, having survived, unchanged for millions of years. If only passing through make sure you take a moment to stop at the bridge over the Storms River for magnificent views up and down the gorge. Even better head for the Storms River Mouth entrance to the Tsitsikamma National Park, where a number of [i]short walking trails, one with a wonderfully wobbly suspension bridge, give you superb experiences of coast and forest. The park is more commonly known for its ‘Otter Trail’, a strenuous five-day hike up and down ravines and gorges and along cliff edges, which is often booked up a year ahead.

Tsitsikamma National Park is also Africa's oldest and largest marine reserve, playing a vital role in the preservation and conservation of marine fauna and flora. Tourists, and particularly hikers, from all over the world visit Tsitsikamma and Storms River Mouth for its rugged, unspoilt coastline – a photographer's dream. Tsitsikamma has many wonderful scenic hiking trails of which it is justifiably proud.

Tsitsikamma is the Khoi-San word for a place of many waters. It is the perfect description of this exquisite area but does not do justice to the overwhelming experience the Tsitsikamma provides for those fortunate enough to visit it and to indulge in its unique pleasures. [/i]

A view up the river with the bat cave to the right. The low and high tide markings are visible on the sides. At this point in the river there are two layers of water -the lower layer is the (heavier) salty seawater and the upper layer is the fresh water that flow in. In this part of the country the river waters are a rich brown colour due to the vegetation. Closer to the mouth the two layers obviously mix. Apparently sharks have been seen in the lower layer as they swim up river.

HoepHoep wrote:Apparently sharks have been seen in the lower layer as they swim up river.

Yes HoepHoep there are sharks. My brother and I did a few scuba dives at Tsitsikamma a few years ago. While diving and viewing a few Smooth Hound sharks on the bottom, some visitors were swimming on the surface totally unaware of us and the sharks. In any case I don’t think those sharks were any threat to the swimmers though.